The Christmas Carol Murders

by Christopher Lord

It's the holiday season in Dickens Junction, Oregon. Local bookstore owner Simon Alastair is getting ready for the community's annual celebration of Charles Dickens's well-known story. But when a mysterious stranger shows up in the Junction and is murdered hours later, Simon begins to suspect that his little community has been targeted for destruction by a shadowy organization. With the support of Zach, a dashing young magazine reporter, Simon decides to investigate the crime himself. When a second murder follows, Simon must confront the worst questions of all: which of his friends and business associates is a ruthless murderer? And why is everyone suddenly reading Ayn Rand?

Genres: Cozy Mystery

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 24, 2012

Reviews

[Jeanne Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a story that was unexpected for me. Several of the main characters were gay or lesbian. I don't judge and I don't have a problem with it, I had just never read a book with that plot line. However, by the time I realized it (I guess I am slow to figure things out) I was already interested in the story and wanted to see how it ended. So I decided to read a bit more and then would determine if it bothered me. Well, it did not, and I don't think it will bother anyone else. (My apology if I have offended anyone, because that certainly was not my intention.) The story takes place in a nice little town where every store was named after a Dickens book or character. Not being very familiar with Dickens, I think I missed some things. Of course there was a murder. It was related to the fact that 'someone' was trying to buy up all the property in town. Who knows who or why. Then a second murder. As they say "the plot thickens". Now everyone was afraid of what was happening to their nice little town, and also afraid of who was doing the murdering. Was it a stranger or someone they new? Oh darn, now there was a third murder. I always try to guess who the bad guy/guys are, but seldom really solve the murders. This time, I was completely in the dark. Even when Simon said that he knows what happened and why, I still had no clue. I think that you will enjoy this mystery, and I suspect that you will not have a clue either. Read it and enjoy.

[Robin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too many characters who are too much alike. Lord needs to spend more time setting up the story. The murder happened too quickly, and we never had a sense of the suspects as individuals. I kept having to turn back and look to see who the people were every time they were mentioned. I'm a seasoned whodunit reader, but this one was frustrating. The instalove between the protagonist and the new guy in town was a boring distraction.

[Sharon Upchurch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely little Christmas cozy mystery with an unusual twist. The main characters are gay. This is the first time I have ventured into LGBT literature. I did it unawares and found it rather pleasant. I recommend the book.

[Jack · Rating 2 out of 5]

A light holiday read with a Dickens' Christmas Carol twist. OK